A TEENAGE girl fled after a man on a bike reached out to grab her.

Police are appealing for information after a 13-year-old girl reported being approached by a stranger.

The  incident took place at 6pm yesterday on Garland Road, Colchester.

A man rode up to her and reached out but she ran off immediately.

PC Rosie Obeney wants to find out more details and is urging any witnesses or the man to come forward to explain what happened.

She said: "At this stage, we’re not sure why the man approached the girl, who he is and whether he lives in the area.

"We would ask him to contact us so that we can establish whether or not there was a misunderstanding between him and the girl.”

He is white, aged in his late 30s, skinny and about 5ft 9ins tall.

He was wearing a black beanie hat, a black duffle coat which had a fur-trim hood and black plimsoles.

The black mountain bike has exposed handlebars with no grip.

Officers searched the area and carried out house-to-house checks but without success.

The man or anyone who knows him is urged to contact investigating officers at Colchester police station on 101.